The UK Beatbox Championships is the UK’s original and largest beatbox and vocal arts event, this year celebrating its 20th anniversary with Festival of Vocal Arts. Over 20,000 people have attended the event in-person since 2005 and millions more experiencing it online worldwide. The iconic event was supported using public funding by Arts Council England, funded by UK Government support from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport and backed by Youth Music, thanks to the National Lottery via Arts Council England.

Best known for nurturing the nation's natural noisemakers, and setting a legacy of 20 years of vocal arts wizardry, the event is often dubbed the Olympics of Voice. The 20 year anniversary Festival of Vocal Arts included all the head to head (8mile style) battles for national categories: Solo, Team, Loop and Under 18s, as well as a brand new International Chess Clock style battle.

Over its 20 years, the event has established world class musicians such as Beardyman, Reeps One, World Champion beatbox group ‘The Beatbox Collective, and international music influencers such as D-Low, with millions of followers. UKBC CEO, World Champion Beatboxer & Music Educator, Rupert Oldridge comments:
“The bar gets raised tenfold every year, we’re now 20 years into this fast developing art form and the community is so welcoming. It’s always an electric audience atmosphere, here in the UK we’re known for producing world champions and contenders”.

Reigning UK Beatbox Champion Bass Ventura/Luis Mosquera adds:
“The UK Champion title acts as a seal of approval to both my audience and bookers. The UK has an extensive lineage of Beatbox royalty that has made history all over the world, who wouldn't want to be a part of that?! I’ve been able to plan my own world tours and perform at top level festivals like Glastonbury, SXSW Austin USA, SXSW London, Sound city and with upcoming headline shows in Japan, Thailand and the USA”

The event took place at the historic Trinity Centre in Bristol on 20th and 21st September. The 2 day event also ran a Music Careers Convention with talks, music careers advice, panels and a Music Equipment and Tech Playground.

The Music Careers Convention featured talks, masterclasses and panels with music industry and music business experts. Music artists could also sign up to a 1-2-1 Careers Consultations and Music Industry Speed Networking Sessions. There were also Music Equipment and Tech Playground allowing visitors to try and experience music equipment and tech, featuring leading music brands BOSS, Roland, Alpha Theta, Pioneer DJ, Loopy Pro, Woojer Vests from Deaf Rave and more. A Music Careers Advice point will also be present with support from Tonic Rider, Help Musicians, PRS for Music, and BLENDID Media & Artists.

Rupert Oldridge, CEO of UKBC, World Champion Beatboxer & Music Educator explained:
“It’s an event for every music lover and festival goer, with a supportive audience of constant cheers for every participant on stage. The range of these vocal musicians who’ve performed on our stage over 20 years have been witnessed by over 20,000, demonstrating some of the wildest sounds in the world made by humans over 20 years”.

There were masterclasses and showcases performed by World Beatbox Champions The Beatbox Collective (UK), D-Low (UK), 4 x World DMC DJ Champion Mr. Switch and many more.

The event welcomed everyone (14+ with guardian) into its friendly and very inclusive musical community.

“My favourite feedback is always from people who have never been to an event like this, every competitor absolutely blows your mind and levels up each year. The technology on the loopstation category is a seriously exciting live battle to watch, it’s humans vs technology, creating outstanding music - certainly giving AI generated music a run for its money!”
Rupert Oldridge, CEO of UKBC, World Champion Beatboxer & Music Educator.

In addition to the main Festival of Vocal Arts, the event ran a short taster programme of FREE beatbox and vocal arts workshops each day from 12noon-2pm.

Web: ukbeatboxchampionships.com IG: @ukbeatboxchamps

TikTok: @ukbeatboxchampionships Facebook: @ukbeatboxchampionships

YouTube: youtube/ukbeatboxchampionships

World Leading UK Beatbox Event Celebrated 20 Years with Festival of Vocal Arts

Nekrogoblikon at the Craufurd Arms - Full Gallery